From appraisals to coordination of financing, automobile buyers offer varied services to their customers. Buyers perform an appraisal of the vehicle, whether car, van, or truck, including the safety features. They may provide written offers which the customer can accept or decline. When a customer sells a vehicle, the buyer will ask for a driver's license, title, and copy of registration. He or she will then provide a form of payment.

Many automobile buyers work auction houses, where they scout out the cheapest deals on the auction block, to sell at a later date. Sometimes they have specific manufacturer makes and models in mind for specific customer requests; other times, they browse and bid on popular items they know they can sell later.

Some automobile buyers have websites where they offer pictures of stock, safety record information, customer testimonials, price quotes, and financing terms on used and new vehicles. They should stand behind the cars, sedans, family vans, and trucks they sell, offering high-quality guarantees.

Buyers usually take trade-ins and sell old parts, and work with local dealerships on a regular basis. They must be savvy in business and sales, and have good negotiation and communication skills. One may have specialized knowledge of luxury sedans or sports car, while another has road expertise in buying and selling anything from mini vans to pickup trucks. Many deal with leases, in addition to sales. Related fields include automotive consultants, automobile brokers, used car dealers, and automobile wholesalers. Professionals in these businesses all buy and sell vehicles at low prices.

Make sure any automobile buyer or dealer you consider has a quality reputation in the auto industry. Ask for references if possible. Find out if the company has a website, where you can browse pictures of stock, view safety records and customer testimonials, get prices, and research the auto buyer's history and experience. Find out if the car buying company is part of a local, national or international entity. When choosing an auto buyer or dealer, research the company's background thoroughly. Ask each company how long it has been in business. To make sure you find the best automobile buyer, take a drive by the location of the company to get a feel for physical appearance and integrity. Chat with the staff to see if they are courteous. Get written quotes before services are rendered. Keep in mind the company's availability, hours, price quotes, and leasing vs. sale options. Ask about specific services, such as whether the company deals with luxury or performance cars, global or national vehicle services, new or old vehicles, or industrial vehicles. Auto buyers may deal with one type of vehicle or several, including performance cars, luxury cars, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), trucks, family vans, and 2-door and 4-door sedans. Consider the manufacturer make, model, color, and year of your new or used vehicle and target your search to buyers that specialize in exactly what you need. If you have a trade-in, contact auto dealers that can get you the price quote you want, whether for a leasing opportunity or sale. When considering how to find the best car buyer for you, search a few different companies before committing to one to review price, any free services or cheap discounts, contact information, company history, new or used vehicles, location, auctions, and financing, insurance and loan information.